Vanessa Hudgens: How My Nude Pics Almost Ruined My Career

Vanessa bares all in ‘Paper’ magazine. This time, however, she’s not naked — but she DOES talk about the scandal that nearly tarnished her future as an actress.

Vanessa Hudgens was rocked with a nude photo scandal in 2007, when intimate photos of herself were illegally leaked online — she was 18-years-old at the time. Now, at 24, Vanessa has persevered and created a respectable career for herself — she’s starring in the critically-acclaimed Spring Breakers. The star explains to Paper magazine, however, that her nude pics almost ruined her career.

“That was just a really sh***y situation that sucked,” Vanessa told Papermagazine. “That was by far the worst moment of my career.”

The former High School Musical star says that she has since matured.

“Ever since I was young, I wanted to play really heavy and intense roles and really push myself in a dramatic direction,” Vanessa explained.

This must have pushed her toward her role in Spring Breakers, her raunchiest role yet, which Selena credits with helping her move on from her image as a Disney star.

“It’s always been hard for actors to cross that bridge but honestly, you have to hold out and do what you think is right for yourself,” she said. “But I also think it is about finding someone who truly believes in you. [Director] Harmony [Korine] took a really big jump in hiring me and Selena and Ashley.”

Spring Breakers hits theaters March 22.

What do YOU think, HollywoodLifers? Did the nude pics tarnish Vanessa’s career?